What you pay for at Lake Natron
Lake Natron is not a TANAPA national park, so the park tariffs of the Serengeti or Tarangire do not apply to the lake. The cost is split into several parts. There is an entry and overnight fee to the wildlife authority TAWA, an activity package run by a community organisation, one-off district charges, and a separate fee for Ol Doinyo Lengai. The districts are Monduli, Longido and Ngorongoro, not the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Which charges apply depends on your route and how you arrive, so you will not always pay every part. Ask your camp or operator for one figure per person and a list of what it covers. If you book a guided trip, compare it with the Lake Natron tours and check whether fees are in the price.
TAWA fees per person and day
The rates for game controlled areas, in Tanzanian shillings.
| Age group | Tanzanian and East African citizens | Non-East African citizens | Expatriates and Tanzania residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 and over | TZS 10,000 | TZS 30,000 | TZS 20,000 |
| 5 to 15 | TZS 5,000 | TZS 20,000 | TZS 10,000 |
| Under 5 | Free | Free | Free |
Lake Natron is a game controlled area, the category these rates cover. Your actual bill depends on your route, and tax and the local charges below can change the total, so ask what applies to your dates before you pay.
Our pick: a safari with the fees included
The park fees for Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Natron are in the price, plus the Natron guide and waterfall entry.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Natron tours and safaris
Tours and safaris in northern Tanzania that you can combine with Lake Natron, with live prices and availability.
Local charges in 2026
US dollars, per person. Confirm the current figure when you book.
| Charge | Adult | Child 5 to 17 |
|---|---|---|
| District gate fee, one-off | $35 | $10 |
| Activity package, one-off | $20 | $10 |
| Camping package, per day | $35.40 | $17.70 |
| Lodging package, per day | $29.50 | $23.60 |
Camps around Engare Sero currently charge about $35 per person once for the district gate and about $20 per person once for the activity package, with $10 for each child aged 5 to 17; ask what your package includes. Children under 5 are free on the camping and lodging packages, and the adult camping and lodging packages include 18 percent VAT. The accommodation price itself is a separate item, see camping and lodges. These charges overlap with the TAWA rates above, so ask for one total price.
For most visitors, the safest plan is to ask for a written list of charges with the booking and to keep every receipt.
Ol Doinyo Lengai climb fees
The volcano is charged separately from the lake visit.
The village fee is currently about $100 for one climber and about $70 per person for two or more. With tax, that becomes $118 and $82.60. On top comes a TAWA mountain fee of $20, or $23.60 with tax, which you pay in advance. This is not an all-inclusive price: guides, transport and meals are separate. Details of the ascent are on the climb page.
If you continue to a national park
TANAPA fees apply there, not at the lake.
Many trips combine Lake Natron with the Serengeti, where TANAPA park fees apply instead and differ by season and nationality. Check the current amount before booking and ask whether a safari price includes park fees; see the Serengeti park fees and, for the crater area, the Ngorongoro fees.
Lake Natron fees: frequently asked questions
Is there one entry ticket for Lake Natron?
No. Costs are split into a wildlife authority fee, an activity package and district charges, plus a separate fee for Ol Doinyo Lengai. Which parts you pay depends on your route and how you arrive.
Do I pay TANAPA fees at the lake?
No. Lake Natron is not a TANAPA national park. TANAPA fees apply only if you continue to a park such as the Serengeti or Tarangire.
Do children pay less?
Yes. TAWA charges children from 5 to 15 a lower rate and children under 5 are free. The district gate fee and the activity package cost $10 for ages 5 to 17. Age bands differ, so ask which one applies to you.
Are fees included in a tour price?
That depends on the tour. Safari prices often include park fees, but not always. Ask before you book which fees the price covers and which you pay on site.
Is the Ol Doinyo Lengai fee part of the lake visit?
No. The volcano is charged on its own, with a village fee and a TAWA mountain fee that you pay in advance.
Is lake-natron.org the official fee page?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not run by TAWA, a district, a community organisation or a camp. Confirm the current figure with your operator.